{"id":5764,"date":"2018-04-10T08:10:31","date_gmt":"2018-04-10T14:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5764"},"modified":"2020-09-21T13:35:28","modified_gmt":"2020-09-21T19:35:28","slug":"black-hills-sd-expedition-no-88-little-devils-tower-harney-peak-5-17-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/?p=5764","title":{"rendered":"Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 88 – Little Devil’s Tower & Harney Peak (5-17-14)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year on the weekend before<\/em> Memorial Day weekend in May, South Dakota holds an open house at all state parks to kick off the summer tourist season.\u00a0 Admission to the parks is free, although normal campground fees still apply.\u00a0 SPHP decided Lupe should take advantage of this chance to do some peakbagging of some of the higher peaks in\u00a0the\u00a0Custer State Park<\/strong><\/a><\/span> region without having to pay an entrance fee.<\/p>\n

Lupe’s peakbagging efforts started at the Little Devils Tower trailhead along Hwy 87 (Needles Highway) less than a mile SE of Sylvan Lake (10:44 AM, 45\u00b0F).\u00a0 Lupe had four peakbagging goals – Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>, Peak 6920<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, Little Devils Tower<\/a><\/span> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>,\u00a0and Peak 6735<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 Only Little Devils Tower was actually in Custer State Park, but the others were all\u00a0relatively close by.\u00a0 SPHP thought they could all be easily approached from this location.<\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP left the trailhead taking Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4.\u00a0 The trail\u00a0entered the forest, soon crossed a small creek, and then started a gentle climb NE up a valley.\u00a0 As the trail gained elevation, it entered more open terrain.\u00a0 The forest had been virtually clear cut along in here due to heavy damage from pine bark beetles.\u00a0 Big granite rock formations were scattered along the sides of the valley.<\/p>\n

Slowly the trail became steeper, eventually reaching the crest of a ridge about 0.75 mile from the trailhead.\u00a0 From the ridge, Lupe could see the Cathedral Spires<\/a><\/span> (6,840 ft.) <\/span><\/strong>close by to the E.\u00a0\u00a0A well marked spur trail went NNW to the summit of Little Devils Tower.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP took the spur trail, which climbed a little bit and then followed a fairly level ridgeline.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe enjoys a great view of a portion of the Cathedral Spires from a high point on the ridge the spur trail follows to Little Devils Tower. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking NE from a high point near the start of the spur trail to Little Devils Tower.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After less than 0.25 mile, the spur trail\u00a0lost a little elevation as it descended into a ravine coming up from the SW.\u00a0\u00a0The bottom of the\u00a0ravine rose steeply to meet the spur trail, which turned N\u00a0to climb straight up a badly eroding stretch of loose rocks.\u00a0 Fortunately, the climb up the loose rocks wasn’t a long one.\u00a0 It ended at a little pass between big granite rock formations.<\/p>\n

From here on, the rest of the way up to the summit of Little Devils Tower was a scramble on the granite.\u00a0 At the little pass, the trail turned sharply W (L)\u00a0going up a narrow cleft in the rock.\u00a0 Beyond the cleft, things opened up a bit.\u00a0 Blue and white arrows painted on the granite marked the trail.\u00a0 The scramble wasn’t hard, and featured only minor exposure.<\/p>\n

When Lupe and SPHP arrived up on top of Little Devils Tower, no one else was around.\u00a0 A steady stream of people and dogs could be heard on the way, though.\u00a0 Lupe’s solitude wasn’t going to last long.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe<\/a>
Lupe arrives at the summit of Little Devils Tower<\/a><\/span> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>! Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is seen in the background R of Center. One of the first things SPHP realized upon seeing the view, was that there was no way Lupe was going to be able to climb Peak 6920, the huge near vertical granite formation seen above Lupe’s head. Peak 6920<\/strong><\/a><\/span> was to have been one of Lupe’s peakbagging goals, but unless she charters a helicopter, it ain’t gonna happen! Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"An<\/a>
An intrepid Carolina Dog strikes a dramatic pose atop Little Devils Tower. Harney Peak, the highest mountain of the Black Hills range, and the highest point in South Dakota, looms in the distance. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The views were great up on Little Devils Tower!\u00a0 The summit area was fairly large and divided into a couple of big sections of uneven granite that were fun to explore.\u00a0 It was no place for unwatched small children, however.\u00a0 The summit area\u00a0was nearly surrounded by cliffs.\u00a0 SPHP kept a close eye on Lupe as she sniffed around exploring.\u00a0 By moving around the summit a bit, it was possible to get a tremendous open view in any direction one wanted.<\/p>\n

One of the first things SPHP realized upon seeing the view to the N toward Harney Peak, was that Lupe was not going to be able to achieve one of her peakbagging objectives.\u00a0 Peak 6920\u00a0could be seen\u00a0between Little Devils Tower and Harney Peak.\u00a0 It was a huge granite formation with near vertical sides in every direction.\u00a0 No way Lupe and SPHP could get up there without a helicopter.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Cathedral Spires (6,840 ft.) from Little Devils Tower. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking S toward Mt. Coolidge<\/a><\/span> (6,023 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sylvan<\/a>
Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> is the long high ridge in the background. Photo looks WSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe and SPHP lingered for a while up on top of Little Devils Tower.\u00a0 A\u00a0steady parade of people and dogs came and went.\u00a0 Even small children were making the climb, with a little assistance from parents and siblings.\u00a0 Although the solitude was broken, the wonderful views made it fun to stick around up on top for a while.\u00a0 SPHP chatted pleasantly with some of the other hikers.\u00a0 Lupe sniffed with the dogs, although she sometimes forgot her manners and growled.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A steady stream of people and dogs came and went. The summit area on Little Devils Tower was large enough so they could be mostly avoided, if one wanted to. Photo looks N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Another<\/a>
Another look at the Cathedral Spires. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eventually, it was time to move on.\u00a0 Lupe returned to the main Little Devils Tower Trail No. 4 via the spur trail.\u00a0 She followed it NE past a junction with Cathedral Spires Trail No. 4A, which she did not take.\u00a0 Trail No. 4 went around the W end of the Cathedral Spires, and then turned E on the N side of them.<\/p>\n

Since\u00a0SPHP had seen from\u00a0Little Devils Tower that Lupe wasn’t going to be able to climb Peak 6920, her next peakbagging goal was Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0On the way to Harney, SPHP kept an eye out toward the SE searching for Peak 6735, to see what Lupe’s chances of climbing it might be like.<\/p>\n

After skirting the N side of the Cathedral Spires for a little way, Trail No. 4 turned NE and then N.\u00a0\u00a0Trail No. 4\u00a0ended where it reached a junction with Norbeck Trail No. 3, which came up from the SE.\u00a0 Lupe continued N on Norbeck Trail No. 3.\u00a0 SPHP started\u00a0seeing views\u00a0of Peak 6735 off to the SE.<\/p>\n

The views weren’t very encouraging.\u00a0 While Peak 6735 was only a little over a mile away, and looked like it should be climbable for Lupe, the intervening terrain looked very rugged with lots of elevation change and big rock formations.\u00a0 Even more daunting, the forest looked almost totally dead, ravaged by pine bark beetles.\u00a0 Getting to Peak 6735 would take a long time.\u00a0\u00a0Lupe was certain to\u00a0encounter huge amounts of deadfall timber along the way.<\/p>\n

Trail No. 4 led to Trail No. 9, a spur of which goes all the way up to the top of Harney Peak.\u00a0 Near the very end of the climb, a metal stairway spirals up a cleft in the granite.\u00a0 Lupe did not like the metal stairway, because she could see through it down to the ground below.\u00a0 SPHP had to carry the nervous Carolina Dog up the stairs.<\/p>\n

At the top of Harney Peak, Lupe and SPHP stopped\u00a0for only\u00a0a few minutes at the lookout tower’s observation deck.\u00a0 As the highest point in the Black Hills and the state of South Dakota, Harney Peak is a popular destination.\u00a0 The lookout tower and observation deck were busy with people enjoying the fabulous 360\u00b0 views, certainly among the best anywhere in the Black Hills.<\/p>\n

To the W of\u00a0Harney’s summit is a huge granite shoulder of the mountain.\u00a0 This\u00a0shoulder is only slightly lower, offers essentially the same\u00a0terrific views in most directions, and is less crowded.\u00a0 Lupe and SPHP retreated from the observation deck to\u00a0the exit from the\u00a0lookout tower’s basement, and\u00a0headed over there.\u00a0 SPHP took in the views, while Lupe engaged in the fascinating sport of chipmunk watching.<\/p>\n

\"Lupe's<\/a>
Lupe’s attention is focused on chipmunks scampering around the W granite shoulder of Harney Peak. Photo looks E back toward the lookout tower and observation deck at the summit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Lupe<\/a><\/p>\n

Lupe and SPHP stayed out on the W shoulder of Harney Peak for half an hour.\u00a0 Lupe never tired of the chipmunks, but did divert her attention from them for a little while when SPHP brought chocolate oatmeal cookies out of the backpack.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The cookie monster Dingo inquires of SPHP as to the state of the chocolate oatmeal cookie supply.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cathedral<\/a>
Cathedral Spires<\/a><\/span> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> from Harney Peak. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Harney<\/a>
Harney Peak<\/a><\/span> (7,242 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> summit from the W shoulder of the mountain. Photo looks E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When it was time to press on, Lupe and SPHP returned briefly to the lookout tower and observation deck.\u00a0 After a few photos from the top, Lupe started down the stone steps to the spiral metal stairway, where SPHP had to carry her again to the bottom of the metal stairs.<\/p>\n

\"Looking<\/a>
Looking SE from the lookout tower. Peak 6735 is in view just L of the narrow rock ridge protruding from Harney.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Little<\/a>
Little Devils Tower<\/a><\/span> (6,960 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> (L) and unclimbable (for Lupe and SPHP) Peak 6920<\/strong><\/a><\/span> (R) from the top of Harney. Photo looks SSW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cathedral<\/a>
Cathedral Spires<\/a><\/span> (6,840 ft.)<\/span><\/strong>. Photo looks S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Trail No. 9 going down Harney, Lupe came to a big rock platform extending a little to the SE from the trail.\u00a0\u00a0The platform provided\u00a0a great view of Peak 6735<\/strong><\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 Although Peak 6735 was supposed to have been one of Lupe’s peakbagging goals, a good look at all the rugged terrain and deadfall timber Lupe would have to cross to get there made SPHP decide that maybe today wasn’t the day to tackle Peak 6735.<\/p>\n

\"Peak<\/a>
Peak 6735<\/strong><\/a><\/span> is seen directly above Lupe’s head. Photo looks SE from near Trail No. 9 on the way down Harney Peak.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Peak<\/a>
Peak 6735. Photo looks SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lupe returned to the Little Devils Tower trailhead via the same route she had taken to Harney Peak – \u00a0Trails No. 9, No. 3, and then No. 4.\u00a0 She was back at the G6 at 4:37 PM (59\u00b0F).\u00a0 Although Lupe hadn’t climbed Peak 6920 or Peak 6735, there was still time in the day to climb another high peak in the area.\u00a0 Lupe went on to climb Sylvan Hill<\/a><\/span> (7,000 ft.)<\/span><\/strong> for a glorious finish to her day in the hills –\u00a0but that’s another post!<\/p>\n

\"Less<\/a>
Less than a month later, Lupe did climb Peak 6735 on Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 92 (6-9-14).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Links:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Next Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prior Black Hills Expedition<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Want more Lupe adventures?\u00a0\u00a0Choose\u00a0from\u00a0Lupe’s Black Hills Expeditions Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a> or Master Adventure Index<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Or subscribe free\u00a0to\u00a0new Lupe adventures<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every year on the weekend before Memorial Day weekend in May, South Dakota holds an open house at all state parks to kick off the summer tourist season.\u00a0 Admission to the parks is free, although normal campground fees still apply.\u00a0 SPHP decided Lupe should take advantage of this chance to do some peakbagging of some … Continue reading Black Hills, SD Expedition No. 88 – Little Devil’s Tower & Harney Peak (5-17-14)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[105,9,106,162,158,157,104,304],"class_list":["post-5764","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-black-hills","tag-american-dingo","tag-black-hills-expeditions","tag-carolina-dog","tag-cathedral-spires","tag-harney-peak","tag-little-devils-tower","tag-lupe","tag-south-dakota"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/adventuresoflupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/SDC11472.jpg?fit=1651%2C1238&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5764"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5764\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28236,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5764\/revisions\/28236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adventuresoflupe.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}